SJPD Shuts Down Multiple Underground Casinos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Detectives from the Burglary Prevention Unit (BPU) spearheaded an investigation into a criminal organization that owned and operated numerous illegal underground casinos after receiving several complaints from community members and residents.

The underground casinos served as a conduit for illegal activities, which included gambling, sale and use of narcotics, in addition to the purchase and sale of stolen property. BPU Detectives identified Chuong Ho as the primary suspect and criminal mastermind responsible for operating these underground casinos.

On Thursday, April 20, 2023, Detectives coordinated a large-scale operation serving search warrants at seven different locations.

Locations in San José included:
• 2000 block of Whittington Drive
• 1000 block of Commercial Court
• 400 block of East Williams Street
• 200 block of Prairiewood Court
• 3000 block of Capewood Lane
• 1800 block of Harbor View Avenue

The seventh location was at 21000 block of Ingomar Grade in the city of Los Baños.

With the assistance of the San José Police Department’s MERGE Unit, Covert Response Unit, Special Operations, Bureau of Investigations, and Patrol Officers, these underground casinos were secured and shut down. Additional Officers from the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team, Santa Clara Police Department, the DMV, and US Postal Inspectors also assisted with the investigation.

In addition to the arrest of suspect Ho, numerous other subjects were detained and arrested at these locations. The search of the casinos resulted in the seizure of over $285,000 dollars, dozens of large illegal gambling machines, 11 firearms, over eight pounds of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, 500 MDMA pills, and over 2,000 pieces of stolen mail.

 

 

Suspect Ho and the other arrestees were booked into Santa Clara County Jail for various felony criminal charges.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.